Dining Room Do-Over

If your family is like most, the dining room is the hub of your home. Between meals, snacks, entertaining, board games, and homework, your dining room probably sees a lot of traffic. When you spend this much time in a room, it’s important to create an environment that is comfortable and inviting. If you’re ready for a dining room do-over, these trending interior design tips will get you off to a good start.

1. Choosing a table and chairs – There are a lot of things to consider when you choose a dining room set. First of all, you have to think about the space you have available and what will comfortable fit. You should also consider the size of your family and how often you have people over for meals. After years of darker woods being the most popular choice, blonde hues have made a comeback. These lighter woods are more friendly than formal, and they tend to look nice with nearly every style of decor or color scheme.

2. A Place for Everything – Whether you prefer the look of a hutch, a buffet, a side table, or open shelving, having storage space in your dining room is essential. It’s much more convenient to have a place to keep dishes, napkins, and serving ware in the room where you’ll be eating, rather than dragging everything out from the kitchen. If your dining room is large enough to accommodate it, many families also incorporate storage space for board games, art supplies, or anything else that gets used in group activities around the table.

3. Setting the Table – This is where form meets function. Place mats, napkins, tablecloths, runners, and centerpieces are an important part of your dining room’s look. Remember that choosing items that coordinate, rather than those that are too matchy-matchy will be more visually appealing. Too much of the same fabric, especially if it’s a print, can look too busy and cluttered.

4. The Importance of Color – The colors you choose can have a major effect on both appetite and mood. Darker colors tend to be more formal and have a sedating effect. Bright colors stimulate both appetite and conversation, and create a more casual, friendly feel.

5. Art – Don’t neglect your walls! The last thing you want is for your dining room to feel like a barren cave. Food photos or artwork is always a popular choice. Vintage diner-style signage and word art are also a hit. Don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to this theme, though! Any type of art that you love will work nicely, with a couple of exceptions. The general rules are to avoid anything portraying violence or themes that might be considered unappetizing.

6. Lighting – Choosing a chandelier and candles is an important part of creating the sort of feeling you want your dining room to have. Make sure that your chandelier matches the style of decor you plan to use, and that it is proportionate to the size of your room and furniture. A dimmer switch is a nice touch, as it allows for bright lighting for games and homework, and a softer setting for dinner. Candles add ambiance, but buy an unscented variety. While scented candles can be wonderful in most rooms, they can be overpowering during meals, even changing your perception of the flavor of your food.

7. Underfoot – A great area rug that coordinates with your room decor serves as an anchor, and pulls together the entire look of the room. A lot of people, especially those with children, are hesitant to have an area rug in the dining room. Even if you have little people who spill, you can still enjoy the look and feel of an area rug. The trick is to choose one that is made of an easily cleaned fabric and has a pattern that hides stains. As an added precaution, you can purchase an inexpensive plastic mat to go under your child’s chair (and over the area rug!). That way, there really won’t be any crying over spilled milk.

By using these decorating tips, you’ll turn your dining room into everyone’s favorite space. Not only will your dining room be functional and beautiful, it will serve as the backdrop for memories you’ll cherish for years to come.